Attempted homicide fugitive caught

Posted Jul 14, 2017

ALAMOSA – Authorities this week arrested James Mitchell McNeill, 31, who had been a fugitive for more than two months.

On the afternoon of May 1, the Alamosa Police Department investigated an incident in the 1200 block of La Due Ave. THey were dispatched to the San Luis Valley Health Emergency Room in reference to a gunshot victim being treated for serious injuries. Officers and investigators from the Alamosa Police Department were able to determine that the incident occurred in the 1200 block of La Due Ave. where McNeill allegedly shot the victim and fled the area before the arrival of police.

The investigation resulted in an arrest warrant being issued for McNeill, a San Luis Valley resident, for attempted 1st degree homicide, 1st degree assault, 1st degree burglary, child abuse, and possession of a weapon by a previous offender.

On July 10, while investigating an incident at a residence on CO RD 17 in Manassa, Chief of Police Patrick Luczak encountered a subject, whom he thought was James McNeill. He requested the assistance of the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Laura Amaya assisted Chief Luczak and they were able to take McNeill into custody.

The Conejos County Sheriff’s Office reported that it received an anonymous tip that McNeill might be at a residence in Manasa. Luczak, Amaya and Colorado State Patrol Trooper Lance Curry went to the residence and were allowed to search the house, where they found McNeil hiding along with his girlfriend Kimberlee Sandoval who also had an outstanding warrant. She is being held for Chaffee County.

Although McNeill refused to give his name, he was identified through fingerprints, according to the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office.

McNeill is being held at the Alamosa County Detention Center without the possibility of bond on these charges.